New Haven ground-breaking held for school to be named for former superintendent

Published 3:45 pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Mayor Elect Harp on Mayo

Media: New Haven Register

NEW HAVEN >> Former Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo, who saw the construction and rehabilitation of nearly 40 schools during his reign, attended a groundbreaking Wednesday for yet another school, this time one that will be demolished and rebuilt to bear his name.

The Board of Education last week announced the decision to rename Helene Grant School as the Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School. Mayo served the district for 46 years in varying capacities, including as superintendent for 21 years before announcing his decision to retire in February. During his reign the former superintendent focused on improving literacy rates, staff development and early childhood development. One of his many accolades is his expansion of every kindergarten classroom to a full day.

“I was excited and ecstatic and happy as anything,” Mayo said. “Who would say no to having a school named after them? This isn’t something that happens to superintendents on a daily basis.”

Mayor John DeStefano Jr., who worked closely with Mayo during their 20-year partnership, said he witnessed the former superintendent’s “strong passion for early education” up close and in person. DeStefano said Mayo’s focus on early childhood education has made the district the largest provider of prekindergarten services in the state, giving all students a fair start.

Photo: Peter Hvizdak — New Haven Register

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New Haven Superintendent of Schools Garth Harries listens to a speech by former Superintendent Reginald Mayo Wednesday at a ground-breaking ceremony for a new school to be named in his honor.

New Haven Superintendent of Schools Garth Harries listens to a speech by former Superintendent Reginald Mayo Wednesday at a ground-breaking ceremony for a new school to be named in his honor.

Photo: Peter Hvizdak — New Haven Register

New Haven ground-breaking held for school to be named for former superintendent

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Superintendent of Schools Garth Harries echoed DeStefano’s statements and emphasized the significance of the new school being focused on the city’s youngest learners.

“He was happiest when he was with young kids, talking to young kids, reading to young kids. ... He lit up around them and we are so thrilled that this naming will be for an early childhood center,” Harries said.

Although the excitement centered on Mayo, DeStefano also honored the late Helene Grant for her nearly 50 years as an educator in the New Haven Public Schools. Grant, who began working for the district in 1918, was the third African-American teacher in the district and an instrumental force, along with the late Isadore Wexler, in having the school built on Dixwell Avenue in 1952. That school is now named Wexler-Grant School in honor of both educators.

“I want to remember, we all stand on shoulders, and Ms. Grant was a pretty broad set of shoulders to be standing on, so I want to remember that,” DeStefano said.

The decision to rename the school in Mayo’s honor was proposed by the School Renaming Committee and passed by the Board of Education on Nov. 12. Committee member, Teachers Union President David Cicarella, thanked Mayo on behalf of teachers for his “dedication” to the district and its students.

“I was very much honored to be a part of the naming committee. ... In fact, it was a rather short meeting, a very easy decision to make, a very fitting honor and one that’s well deserved,” he said.

The new school is the 38th to be built or rehabilitated as part of the city’s $1.6 billion School Construction Program launched in 1995. The historic bell tower will be salvaged and incorporated into the new design; the four bells will ultimately be inscribed with sentiments from Mayo. The existing school will be demolished in 2014, with the new, 65,000-square-foot facility expected to be completed by December 2015. The facility will serve 565 3- and 4-year-old students. The project will be managed by Giordano Construction with Gilbane Building Co. as the manager of the School Construction Program.

Mayor-elect Toni Harp, who will inherit the project as she takes office in January, commended both Mayo and DeStefano for their focus on education and quality facilities for learning.

“We are the envy of the state because of the work that you have done,” she said. “I just want you to know how proud it makes me, as a member of your state delegation, to know that I come from the place that values kids.”

Mayo thanked DeStefano, administrators, teachers and staff leaders for making the district increasingly successful, before turning his attention to the heart of the district — the students.

“Let me just say this school district has an overwhelmingly majority of kids who are really, really great kids, who work hard every day,” Mayo said. “None of this, in terms of accomplishments, could take place without them pulling and striving also.”

Call Rachel Chinapen at 203-789-5714. Have questions, feedback or ideas about our news coverage? Connect directly with the editors of the New Haven Register at AskTheRegister.com.